A FALLEN PROPHET.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8110, 15 May 1906, Page 4

A FALLEN PROPHET.

John Alexander Djis'i e, liaving come to the end of his tether, writes an American correspuulmt, Zioa City is ■in peril, and its chi.d lii.pe is Wilbur Glenn Voliva, the yoing mm from Melbourne. Treuibliug ou the brink of financial disaster, the peoplo who foolishly put their trust in the apostle, now look with anxious eyes towards the new overseer, win i>' d escribed as a "young man of dynamic force,-a marvel of self-confiicnce." Besieged by creditors, facing each diy obstacles w'lieh the reign of Dowie created, the new;leader who his arisen from Australia is making a valiant for the Rehabilitation of Zion. Despite liis youth, Voliya is th ir-m/ily vjrsed in the wisdom which ii >i\l an 1 contact with the world brings. ;• In teinperainent and n mire he is the very a nthesis of Donic. hi- is endeavoring to sit the Zion ship in s!ia,,c to ride the sea of debt, and it looks as if he will succeed. Already he has etl'cctid a greater degree of administrative organisation than Dowie did in ail ln.-> years of. dictatorship. From 'ail accounts, Overseer Voliva has added to the perplexing situation a strong mixture of what is termed '■ hors t -sense,' combined with f ranknes i and cand our. He has admitted to creditors that they have not been justly, treated, and has assured them tint they will be paid in full. He seems not to be fvorncd over the outco.ne of his reOi'ganisation, but says he is absolute!) certain Zion will weather the gale. He believes he is "now nearing less tempestuous waters, but admits that some of the most trying days are yet before him He says Zion's obligations ag-r-j.. to not more than £IOO,OOO, and he hopes to pay those within the year, with interest. At present the most serioui phase of the situation is the disposition of certain creditors to proceed against Dowie, regardless of the consequences. Voliva has been conferring with these complaining and irritated claimants in a courteous manner, and it is probable he may induce them to wait. One thing seems certain, viz., Dowie" will never be in active control of Zion again.